​The 14th Trans-Regional Seapower Symposium has officially started.

The Italian Navy will be hosting a three-day conference at the Venice Arsenal. Over 50 foreign navies and more than 20 delegates will gather to discuss the major challenge of the “Blue Century", the underwater domain.

For the occasion, the exhibition "Deep Blue", produced by Magister Art, has been set up in the Casa del Bucintoro, dedicated to operations, the underwater dimension, technology, and international cooperation, featuring the Italian Navy as protagonist.

From the West to the East, from the North to the South of the world, there has been a growing interest in the underwater domain. A complex and hostile environment by nature, yet considering its enormous potential in terms of economic and technological development, it represents a new frontier to be protected and explored.

“A spotlight on the depths: the Underwater as the new frontier for humankind" is the title of this edition of the Symposium. At the opening ceremony, after the welcoming address of the Mayor of Venice, Luigi Brugnaro, the Chief of the Italian Navy, Admiral Enrico Credendino, welcomed the Defence Minister, the Honorable Guido Crosetto, delegates of foreign Navies, international organisations,  the academic world, industry, and representatives of the various maritime clusters.

“I have decided to focus this Symposium on underwater issues because, especially in the current geostrategic context, its vital importance cannot be ignored for long," declared the Chief of the Italian Navy. “Amidst the intensifying competition for resources, the complexities of military strategy and environmental challenges, the underwater world is bound to play a more and more critical role, demanding increased attention and cooperation among global actors to ensure maritime stability and security".

In his speech, the Defence Minister emphasized the immense potential of the underwater realm for the future and the urgent need for all stakeholders to collaborate and develop a shared strategic vision. He underlined the need to consider the sea as a vital resource and consequently the necessity of a sustainable approach that takes into account the environmental impact and respects marine ecosystems.

Next, attention turned to the Amerigo Vespucci, currently on a world tour that began in July 2023. Before its scheduled return to Italy in 2025, the ship will visit more than 50 ports in 30 countries across the five continents.

The first day of the Symposium was marked by the entry of Côte d'Ivoire into the NoA T-RMN & V-RMTC (Trans-Regional Maritime Network and Virtual Regional Maritime Traffic Center), becoming the 38th member country of the virtual network connecting the operation centres of the participating Navies.

Senator Nello Musumeci, Minister of Civil Protection and Sea Policies, sent a video message  to emphasize the importance of the initiative, followed by speeches delivered by: Arsenio Dominguez Velasco, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO); Pierroberto Folgiero, CEO and DG of Fincantieri (main sponsor of the event); Francesco Maria Talò, ambassador and diplomatic advisor of the Defence Minister.

The first part of the opening ceremony was concluded by a geostrategic analysis by Prof. Vittorio Emanuele Parsi.

The first panel of the event was entitled “Preserving the underwater – the secure and sustainable use of the underwater". Following presentation by Prof. Andrea Margelletti (advisor to the Italian Defence Minister and Chairman of the Centro per gli Studi Internazionali) and Alessio Patalano, Professor at the King's College London, the panel discussed the importance of protecting marine ecosystems from pollution and overexploitation of its energy and food resources.

The Chiefs of Naval Staff from Chile, Japan, Nigeria, and Pakistan spoke at the event, tackling the delicate issue of sustainability.

The panel continued with presentations of Massimo Debenedetti (AD Cetena), Carlo Festucci (Secretary General AIAD), Michael Lodge, (Secretary General of the International Seabed Authority); Andrea Piccioli (Director General of the Italian National Institute of Health, and Rear Admiral Luigi Sinapi, Director of the International Hydrographic Organization.

The first day of the event wrapped up at the Scuola Grande di San Rocco with a concert by the Italian Navy Band, conducted by Maestro (Captain) Antonio Barbagallo.